WHO ARE THE REAL GODDESSES? Essays and a poem |
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER Here in the West, our Gods are known as the Father and Son, but what has become of the Mother and Daughter? Every God has a Goddess, but we know little about the Goddess. The Father is known as Jehovah, but who is his female half? It is almost an amusing idea that he has a wife, or that she has a name. Her presence is known only through Mary. She is not presented as a goddess, but only as a divine human being. Mary is very busy indeed, appearing in many places and speaking to humanity, and of course her image is everywhere. Jehovah is generally depicted as an old man, and Mary is depicted as a young mother. Perhaps we should try to picture an older woman as the other half of the Father God. And we should understand she speaks through the image of Mary. Next, where is the Daughter? The Son is well known as Christ, a completely male image. Where is his female counterpart? Here is a suggestion. The soulmate of Jesus is pictured in the painting of Mona Lisa, and this is meant to be taken quite literally. She is the Female Chief of the World Hierarchy and must necessarily be a very powerful woman. Her image is known around the world. She is the Divine Daughter, and the painting is an appropriate image for Goddess, representative of women. I JUST SAW THE HOLY GHOST AND SHE'S BLACK In Gospel music there are frequent references to being "in the Spirit"- the Holy Ghost. Black churches are the churches of the Holy Ghost, but why are African Americans attracted to the Holy Ghost? It seems that they are related to it. Thinking back into history, the image of the Mammy and the Nanny seem to emanate comfort, protection, largeness and softness. It is easy to see the Holy Ghost in that image, and in their modern counterparts, Maya Angelou, Della Reese, Oprah Winfrey, and ETTA JAMES . ETTA JAMES It was a foot stompin day at the blues fest in a park by the sea a restless crowd danced and cheered the bands on the rolling lawns all afternoon then went to rest and feast beneath the sheltering trees Two large white birds flew by gracefully overhead, white herons, they were nesting in the tall palms that stood around the stage One great bright star appeared at dusk Venus shining above the stage in a darkening sky and then Etta James appeared in the center of the stage, black on black, sparkling in a black sequin gown all heavy with age and power She sang I'd rather be a blind girl and the crowd hushed and settled down. A half moon appeared overhead in a sapphire sky and lit the little white clouds And Etta crooned Come to Mama and we wanted to fly into her arms and then she stomped and rocked the stage the brass blared out and the crowds roared A blonde girl climbed the riggings and ripped off her shirt and danced half naked on the light tower which caused the crowd to shout and cheer. Venus, envious of Etta, danced naked in the stars Etta sang on the glittering stage surrounded by tall trees the two great white birds glided back and forth like angels followed by one little black bat. We were all flying high it's like the old airplane joke about the pilot who flew too high. I just saw the Holy Ghost and shes black. |